MINISTRY MULLS ONLINE SYSTEM TO DISPLAY ARCHIVE MATERIALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The Information Communication and Culture
Minister plans to set up a system to display archive materials online, Minister
Dr Rais Yatim said.

He said the ministry would collaborate with agencies like National Film,
Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)
to collect historical documents to be displayed online by the National Archives.

"Through this initiative, artefacts such as video, 16mm or 35mm films, film
negatives as well as pictures can be displayed online," he told reporters after
opening a seminar on "Issues and Challenges in Preserving Audiovisual Archives
in the Tropical Region" here Tuesday.

He said the system would allow access to the historical materials without
having to go to the agencies concerned.

"These records are kept in the respective departments and have not been
channelled to the authority. They should now network themselves online so that
documentaries, films and photographs can be kept at the National Archives," he
said.


Dr Rais said the ministry also planned to provide scholarships to encourage
students and the public to carry out research on the country's historical
artefacts.

"The scholarship will inject seriousness in the study of archive materials.
This includes training on matters concerning heritage and record-keeping. The
historical society should take interest in this," he said.

Earlier, in his speech Rais said special attention was needed for
audiovisual archives in the Tropical region, as the issues of preservation of
these materials had become more complex and challenging, especially where heat
and humidity pose the main threat.

"This needs to be address immediately; these materials when they have
historical content will be the best teachers of our history.

"Their relevance will not diminish with time, therefore, it is vital for
such materials to be closely safeguarded and preserved for long-term use by
successive generations," he said.

-- BERNAMA